Bought my '09 250s this January. The bike ran TERRIBLE! Being in 5th & 6th gear, the bike would "lope", as if there was slop in the chain, or a flat spot. And forget about trail riding, unless you like to putter around all day in low gear. Stock gearing was 13 front & 42 in rear. Don't even talk about starting. So I put an FMF Q4 on my stock header, kept the 13 front, but put a 47 in rear. WOW!!! Suddenly I had a Motorcycle! Not only is low gear good, but now I can use 2nd in the woods. And no more loping in 5th & 6th. In fact I can be doing 65 mph in 6th, & back off on the throttle & nail 65 again with no hessitation. I'm very happy with this set up, but may consider a 14 in the front so I can keep up with my buddies on thier 650 dual purpose bikes. Now here's my question. I took out the spark plug, it's color is gray to white. I think I'm a bit too lean, & being a new bike I don't want to destroy it! I have a Moose/Dynojet jet kit stage 1 &2 ready to install, but it looks like a lot of work to just get the carb out. I'm a little intimidated. So with the color indicated by the plug, should I re-jet? Also the starting is still a pain. No matter cold or even if it had just been running.

 

14 tooth front is stock. Did you buy the bike used with a 13 tooth?

Stock they are lean. once you added the Q4 it is way lean. I think these bikes should be re-jetted even with out any mods done. Pull the snorkle and use the stage 2 directions. Cold starting can be fixed by drilling the cold start jet. Do a search there is directions for both drilling the cold start and removing the carb.

 

The first time taking the carb off isn't the most fun job in the world, but it's doable and rewarding. On its own, the DynoJet needle is probably worth the effort over the stock needle. Up your main jet, do the other DJ recommended mods in there, drill out the enrichment (starter) jet to 0.018" for pure starting pleasure, back out the fuel-mixture screw (to around 2 turns out), and think about a better air filter when you do the airbox mods.

 

Cmott/IDRIDR, No the bike is brand new though it's an '09. I tried counting the teeth without taking off the guard. Thanks for the heads up!! So, thats really good if the bikes performing this good in the woods with a 14 up front. South Weastern PA. is nothing but hills hills & more hills. Maybe with the re-jetting I can keep up with my buddies on the road. Thanks again.

 

South western pa? Where abouts? We have a dual sport riding club that has a wide area. guys in Erie, lots around pittsburgh, down to Avella and over to somerset/carlise.

 

Eric, I'm about 3 miles from Cal U, out in the boondocks.

 

Where might I find a .018 or #77 drill bit??? Also, if I remove the snorkle, where can I find another lid? Been looking in my DK catalog, haven't seen it yet.

 

If you want some people to ride with, we have rides at least a couple times a month or more. There is always someone riding. We have registration shut down for now, but if you want in let me know. rufcutriders.com - Index

The snorkel comes out of the lid, so you can leave the lid on and just take the snorkel out. Dont know about the drill bit, i didnt have to do that.

 

i got my bits from here and used the exacto knife handle method to hold the bit. Only takes a few turns..

Mini Micro Drill Bit #77 HSS 0.0180" Pack of 6 USA MADE | eBay

 

If you are in cali they are lean, if anywhere else its fine don't touch the jetting until you mess around with the airbox.